Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, Romans 5:3-4 NABRE
Paul in the section of the letter to the Romans with the quoted verse speaks of peace with God through Christ. But Paul also puts weight on suffering, he attaches tremendous significance to affliction. He has suffered quite often in bringing the gospel message to the people. Paul even exhorts the disciples “to persevere in the faith, saying, ‘It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.’” (Acts 14: 22) For Paul suffering is critical to God’s redemptive purposes. It is part of the Christian journey to be formed into the image of Jesus, who passed into glory by way of the cross. In the quoted verse Paul takes four steps toward maturity. He boast about affliction because it produces endurance, in other words forms a habit of doing what is right, remaining faithful even in adversity. Endurance produces proven character, someone who has been tested and has been found faithful. Finally proven character produces hope, the hope of glory as we see in Christ. Paul preceded this verse writing we have gained access by faith to the grace in which we stand and boast of the hope of glory of God. In other words we can’t journey through this maturity without grace, free gift from God, granted us through faith and providing hope for glory.
There is an old line our grannies told us when something bad happened, “offer it up to God.” This is a little what Paul is telling us, when we suffer, if we suffer in Christ we are working toward the image of Jesus who suffered to accomplish the will of God. In so doing, He attained glory, as is our hope.
Do you suffer? Can you boast in your suffering?
There is an old line our grannies told us when something bad happened, 'offer it up to God.' This is a little what Paul is telling us, when we suffer, if we suffer in Christ we are working toward the image of Jesus. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity#dailybibleverse @youversion#BeAnEncourager #glory #suffer #Paul#everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist#jesussaves #godisgood#dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture#bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray#prayer #goodnews #loveeachother#godisgreat #thisVineyard#youversion #everythingalways